Faculty Profile

Susan W. Groth, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC

Associate Professor

As a nurse scientist my goal is to improve the health of individuals, particularly as it relates to obesity. Obesity is a complex disease that is the result of genetic and environmental components. My research is focused on behavioral, genetic and environmental factors that contribute to obesity. As a Women's Health NP my particular interest is the weight that women gain during childbearing and the long-term effects of that weight gain on both mothers and their children. The examination of gene x environment interactions is central to my research. My interest in the problem of obesity stems from years of practice where women frequently lamented that they gained weight when they had their children and then never lost it.

Dr Groth received a career development award in 2008 from the University of Rochester Clinical and Translational Science Institute, followed by a similar award in 2009 from the National Institute of Nursing Research. She has used focus groups to gain an understanding of how pregnant African-American women view weight gain, physical activity and diet. She conducted an observational study of pregnant African-American women to assess weight change, diet, and physical activity during and after pregnancy, plus investigate the interaction of gene SNPs with physical activity. The goal of these two projects was to develop interventions to prevent excessive gestational weight gain and a base from which to look more closely at genetic effects on weight.

Dr Groth was a co-investigator on an EARLY Trials study (eMoms)funded by NHLBI. Electronic technology is being used to intervene with pregnant women to promote healthy pregnancies with appropriate gestational weight gain. In this study she will examine gene x environment interactions.